Veravas, a leader in clinical diagnostics, today announced the general commercial availability of VeraBIND™ Tau, the first blood-based test designed to aid in the detection of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other tau-related neurodegenerative disorders (tauopathies). The first-in-class assay is available now as a laboratory-developed test (LDT) through Veravas. It was validated and is performed in a CLIA / CAP certified lab.

VeraBIND Tau is designed for use in both symptomatic and presymptomatic patients, enabling earlier diagnosis when intervention is most effective.

"Detecting tauopathy early gives patients and healthcare providers a better chance to take action before cognitive decline sets in," said John Forrest, CEO of Veravas. "VeraBIND Tau takes a novel approach by measuring pathological tau activity—a key driver of neurodegeneration that is closely linked to near-term cognitive decline."

Until now, detecting tau pathology required invasive spinal taps or expensive tau PET imaging, which has not been practical for many patients.  VeraBIND Tau makes this information available through a convenient and accessible blood test. Other blood tests measuring amyloid plaque provide a risk indication but are not as closely correlated to near-term cognitive decline.

In an analytical verification study, the test demonstrated: 96% sensitivity, 90% specificity, 92% agreement with tau PET imaging. This makes it ideal for clinical trial screening, providers and patients looking to gain earlier insight into brain pathology and health plans hoping to better manage the brain health of their populations.

These results show that VeraBIND Tau reliably detects the abnormal tau accumulation associated with Alzheimer's and provides a VeraBIND Tau Score, a semi-quantitative measure of pathologically active tau. Validation demonstrates performance comparable to current gold-standard imaging.

VeraBIND Tau is now available for use by clinicians, plans, researchers, and clinical trial sponsors. The test must be ordered under the care of a physician. 

"This test offers a practical and innovative way to give patients and families critical information they can act on," said Jeff Donohue, M.D., a board-certified family physician in Holly Springs, Georgia. "Having a clear picture of tau pathology will help guide treatment decisions, lifestyle interventions, and care planning—potentially slowing disease progression."